Make-up applicator with LED light source

ABSTRACT

A device is provided to apply make-up ( 10 ) in low-light situations. The device has a body tube ( 14 ), with a first and a second and a intermediate portion therebetween. The first end has a radial cross-section with an inner portion and an annular outer portion. Mounted in the inner portion of the first end is a make-up ( 10 ) applying means ( 16 ). Surrounding the make-up applying means ( 16 ) is an illuminating means ( 22 ) for illuminating, positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end. It is adapted to project the illumination axially outwardly. The illuminating means ( 22 ) is power by a powering means ( 24 ) is activated by a switch ( 621 ). In some embodiments, a second make-up applying means ( 16 ) is mounted in the second end.

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No.60/375,982, filed on 26 Apr. 2002.

The present invention relates to a make-up applicator provided with alight-emitting diode (“LED”) light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Proper application of lipstick and other make-up requires a certainamount of visual input, so it is generally done in front of a mirror. Ina low-light situation, additional lighting is sometimes required. Suchadditional lighting should be directed to the point of application.

A make-up applicator with a lighting source is an ideal solution to thisproblem. The prior art is replete with attempts to provide an effectivesolution, but apparently the attempts have been ineffective, ascommercial products incorporating these concepts are simply notavailable.

One piece of prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,667 to Hwang (Dec. 19, 1989)teaches a lipstick cap with lamp devices, including a cap sleeve used toreceive a common lipstick sleeve and a rotary switch engaged with thecap sleeve, wherein the cap sleeve is equipped with several lamp devicesand a pair of conducting plates that electrically connect the lampdevices in series. The rotary switch has a battery container includingan anode and a cathode conducting plate that can be selectivelyelectrically connected with the conducting plates of the lipstick cap byrotating the rotary switch. When a battery is contained in the batterycontainer, the lamp devices can be lighted for illuminating the make-upapplicator.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aneffectively lighted make-up applicator for use in low-light situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the invention are provided by an applicatorfor make-up that is useful in low-light situations. Such an applicatorcomprises a body tube, a first make-up applying means, a firstilluminating means, a means for powering the first illuminating meansand a switch. The body tube has first and second ends and a intermediateportion therebetween. The first end has a radial cross-section with aninner portion and an annular outer portion. The first make-up applyingmeans has a first end thereof positioned in the inner portion of thebody tube first end and a second end thereof extending axiallyoutwardly. The first illuminating means is positioned in the annularouter portion of the first end, and is adapted to project theillumination axially outwardly. The means for powering the firstilluminating means is mounted axially inwardly from the body tube firstend in an interior of the body tube and communicated electrically to thefirst illuminating means. The switch selectively communicates thepowering means to the first illuminating means.

In some aspects of the invention, the switch is positioned in the secondend of the body tube.

In other embodiments of the invention, the second end of the applicatoralso has a cross-section with an inner portion and an annular outerportion, in which case that second end is provided with a second meansfor applying make-up. A first end of the second make-up applying meansis positioned in the inner portion of the body tube second end. A secondend of the second make-up applying means extends axially outwardly. Asecond illuminating means is provided, being positioned in the annularouter portion of the second end, and adapted to project the illuminationaxially outwardly. A means for powering the second illuminating means,positioned in an interior of the body tube and communicated electricallyto the second illuminating means, is also provided, as is a switch forselectively communicating the powering means to the second illuminatingmeans.

In some of these other embodiments, a single means for powering servesas the means for powering both the first illuminating means and thesecond illuminating means, the single powering means positioned in theinterior of the body tube and communicated electrically to both of therespective illuminating means. In many of these embodiments, a singleswitch serves as the switch for electrically communicating both thefirst and the second illuminating means to the single means forpowering. Such a single switch would be positioned on an externalsurface of the body tube intermediate portion.

In many aspects of the invention, the first illuminating means, and thesecond illuminating means, if present, comprises at least onelight-emitting diode (“LED”).

The first make-up applying means and the second make-up applying means,in embodiments where present, can be separately selected from the groupconsisting of a tube for containing a lipstick, a brush for applyingmascara, a brush for applying lip gloss, lip liner or eye liner andpencil for applying eye liner.

In some aspects of the invention, the body tube first end has a circularcross-section. In other aspects, the body tube first end has anelliptical cross-section, while in yet other aspects, it may have arectangular or a triangular cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one LED is directly mounted inthe annular outer portion of the first end (and the second end, whenpresent).

In another embodiment, the at least one LED is mounted in the interiorof the body tube and is communicated by light communicating means to alight emitting means in the annular outer portion of the first end (andthe second end, when present). In such a case, the light emitting meanscan be an annular ring of a transparent material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are identifiedwith identical reference numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an assembled view of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3 a through 3 d show a bottom view of the second end of the firstembodiment applicator,

FIGS. 4 a through 4 c show side views of variations means for applyingmake-up;

FIG. 5 shows an assembled side view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 shows an assembled side sectional view of the third embodiment;and

FIG. 8 shows the third embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Many of the features of the make-up applicator 10 of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (in respective exploded and assembledviews) are well known and are not particularly different than themake-up applicator known in the prior art. For example, a lipstick cap12 is provided for association with the first means 13 for applyingmake-up, in this particular case a lipstick mechanism with a sleeve 18containing a lipstick makeup 16, which may be rotatably withdrawn intothe lipstick sleeve when not in use. The lipstick sleeve 18 fitsengagingly into a body tube 14 so that the lipstick sleeve extendsaxially outwardly from a first end of the body tube. In manyembodiments, the lipstick cap 12 can be alternatively associated withthe second end of the body tube 14 in a reverse direction during use.

The make-up applicator 10 of the present invention, however, has severalfeatures that are not disclosed or suggested by the prior art, which hastaught the use of small incandescent lamps around the lipstick mechanism13. The prior art has also taught the incorporation of a switchmechanism to provide selective lighting of the lamps. In contrast tothis, the present invention provides the lighting in a different manner.Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit board 20 is shown that includes at leastone light emitting diode (“LED”) 22, a small battery 24 for powering theLED and appropriate electrical communication to selectively connect thebattery to the LED. In the specific embodiment illustrated, in fact, twoLEDs 22 are shown on the circuit board 20. The circuit board 20 isadapted to fit into the bottom of the body tube 14, that is, an interiorportion of the body tube axially inwardly from the first end.

Surrounding the lipstick mechanism 13 in the body tube 14 is a lightpipearrangement 26. This lightpipe arrangement 26 is characterized by a ring28 of light-transmitting material with at least one leg member 30. Thenumber of leg members 30 should correspond to the number of LEDs 22 usedin the circuit board 20. Lightpipe arrangement 26 acts as an annularouter portion of the first end of body tube 14 and fits around thelipstick mechanism 13 to help secure it in the lipstick sleeve. The legmembers 30 gather light from the LEDs and transmit the light to thering, where it is emitted, preferably in a diffuse and uniform manner.In preferred embodiments, there may be some reflective material appliedto non-emitting surfaces of the lightpipe arrangement in order toprevent light losses out of these non-emitting surfaces. Also, the indexof refraction of the material may be selected to retain light in thelightpipe. For these reasons, the preferred material for the lightpipemechanism 26 and the leg members 30 will be a clear, polymeric material.

While some of the prior art inventions provide relatively complexswitching mechanisms for turning their light sources on and off, the useof an LED light source instead of an incandescent lamp in the presentinvention eliminates some of this complexity. The low power requirementof the LED compared to an incandescent lamp allows much longer batterylife, so it is no longer critical that the light source be deactivatedwhen not needed. In fact, a simple switching mechanism (not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) that activates the LEDs 22 whenever the cap is removedfrom the sleeve or whenever the cap is engaged with the bottom end ofthe cap, just to provide a few examples, should be sufficient to protectbattery life for at least the expected life of the lipstick itself, atwhich point the entire device is discarded. In many instances, a switchmay be installed in the second end of the body tube 14 to switch thelighting mechanism on and off.

As is readily observed, the body tube 14 of FIG. 1 is elliptical incross-section. A bottom view of four specific variations of the bodytube, illustrating placement of a switch 32 in the second end of theelliptical body tube, is provided in FIG. 3 a. Placement of an identicalswitch 32 in the bottom of a second type of body tube 114, having acircular cross section, is shown in FIG. 3 b. A yet further use of aswitch 32 in the second end of a body tube 214, having a rectangularcross-section, is shown in FIG. 3 c. The use of a switch 32 in thesecond end of a body tube 314, having a triangular cross-section, isshown in FIG. 3 d.

Just as the cross section of the body tube 14 may be varied in theparticular embodiment of the invention, the type of means 13 forapplying make-up may be varied from embodiment to embodiment. FIG. 1shows a first means 13 that is exemplified by the lipstick mechanism.FIGS. 4 a-c show, in isolated side views, two types of brushes 113, 213and a pencil 313, any of which may serve as the means for applyingmake-up. The brush 113 in FIG. 4 a has short, radially extendingbristles 40, which are useful in applying a material such as mascara tothe eye lashes. The brush 213 of FIG. 4 b has longer, axially extendingbristles 42, which can be used to apply lip gloss, lip liner, and eyeliner, as a few examples. The pencil 313 in FIG. 4 c can be used toapply eye liner. In each of these cases, the make-up application isachieved by a second end of the mechanism, and it may be necessary toenlarge the diameter of a first end of the mechanism, or to affix a basemember, so that the make-up application device is engagingly received inthe body tube.

Another embodiment 410 of the present invention device is shown in FIG.5, in which the end caps, which would be typically provided, are notshown. In this embodiment 410, the first means 13 for applying make-upis a lipstick mechanism with a sleeve 18 containing a lipstick makeup16, which may be rotatably withdrawn into the lipstick sleeve when notin use. The lipstick sleeve 18 fits engagingly into a first end of thebody tube 414 so that the lipstick sleeve extends axially outwardlytherefrom.

This second embodiment device 410 has several features that are notdisclosed or suggested by the prior art. Particularly, the secondembodiment 410 has a second end with a cross-section with an innerportion and an annular outer portion. This second end is provided with asecond means 43 for applying make-up, a first end thereof positioned inthe inner portion of the body tube second end and a second end thereofextending axially outwardly. In the particular example shown, the secondend is provided with a second means 43 for applying make-up that is amascara-type brush of the type shown in FIG. 4 a.

This second embodiment 410 also has a second illuminating means 60 thatis equivalent to the first illuminating means represented in FIG. 1 bythe lightpipe arrangement 26. Internal details of the illuminating means60 are not specifically disclosed, but it will be understood that theymay be similar to any of the internal mechanisms disclosed in thisapplication. It will be understood also that the switch 32 of theprevious embodiment will not longer work, since the second end of thebody tube is now occupied with a second make-up application means. Thus,the internal mechanisms in the body tube are centrally positioned, andthe switch 432 will be preferably centrally located on an externalsurface of the intermediate portion of the body tube 414. This body tube414 can be elliptical, circular, rectangular or triangular in crosssection, just as the body tube 14 of the first embodiment 10 has alreadybeen demonstrated.

While it is possible to have separate means for powering theilluminating means and separate switches 432 on the exterior of the bodytube 414, in most instances, the means for powering and the switch willbe consolidated into a single powering means and switch, so that turningthe illuminating means on effectively lights both ends of the body tube.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, a third embodiment 510 of theinvention is disclosed. In this embodiment, a luminous body receptaclebase 610 with a luminous body receiving holder 612 is provided. Thisallows placement of the luminous body 620, the rear of which has a powersource switch 621. The rear of the luminous body also has inner diameterthreading 616 on the assembly box cap 615, to be combined with outerdiameter threading 614 at the body of the luminous body receptacle base610, thereby forming a unitary body. An LED 625, a negative electrodeconducting plate 624 and a positive electrode conducting plate 623 areprovided. There is also a battery 626, a lipstick assembly 630, alipstick rotation ring 632 and a lipstick 633. The bottom 631 of thelipstick rotation ring 632 can be placed into the lipstick assemblyreceiving holder 611 at the upper end of the luminous body receptaclebase, while the inner diameter 642 of the mirror surface 641 of the topend of the mirror-containing sleeve 640 can be slipped onto the outerdiameter of the lipstick receiving holder to contain the lipstickassembly 630.

Further details of the third embodiment 510 are seen in assembled sideview in FIG. 7.

Use of the third embodiment 670 is illustrated in FIG. 8. In such a use,the mirror-containing sleeve 640 is pulled off of the luminous bodyreceptacle base 610. The luminous body receptacle base 610 is held inone hand of the user. By activating the power source switch 621, the LED625 mounted near the lipstick assembly 630 is activated, therebyproducing an axially extending illumination 650 for the lips 660 of theuser. The mirrored surface 641 of the mirror-containing sleeve 640 maybe held in the other hand of the user, thereby providing a mirror, ifdesired.

It will be readily understood that this third embodiment 510 places theLEDs directly at the first end of the body tube 614, rather thanpositioning them internally to the body tube. It will also be readilyunderstood that the third embodiment shows the use of only one end ofthe body tube 614 for receiving make-up applying means, but that bothends of the body tube can be so provided if desired, in the mannerdescribed above.

Many variations within the scope of the appended claims will be apparentto those of skill in the art once the principles described herein areunderstood.

1. A device for applying make-up, useful in low-light situations,further comprising: a body tube, having first and second ends and aintermediate portion therebetween, the first end having a radialcross-section with an inner portion and an annular outer portion, andthe second end of the body tube having a cross-section with an innerportion and an annular outer portion; a first make-up applicator, afirst end thereof positioned in the inner portion of the body tube firstend and a second end thereof extending axially outwardly; a first lamp,positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end, and adapted toproject illumination through a light-transmitting material and thenaxially outwardly; a power source for powering the lamp, mounted axiallyinwardly from the body tube first end in an interior of the body tubeand communicated electrically to the first lamp; a switch forselectively communicating the power source to the first lamp; a secondmake-up applicator, a first end thereof positioned in the inner portionof the body tube second end and a second end thereof extending axiallyoutwardly; a second lamp, positioned in the annular outer portion of thesecond end, and adapted to project the illumination axially outwardly; apower source for powering the second illuminating means, positioned inan interior of the body tube and communicated electrically to the secondlamp; and a switch for selectively communicating the power source to thesecond lamp.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein: the first and secondlamps each comprise at least one light-emitting diode (“LED”).
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein: the first make-up applicator is selectedfrom the group consisting of a tube adapted for containing a lipstick, abrush adapted for applying mascara, a brush adapted for applying lipgloss, lip liner or eye liner and a pencil adapted for applying eyeliner; and the second make-up applicator is separately selected from thegroup consisting of a tube adapted for containing a lipstick, a brushadapted for applying mascara, a brush for applying lip gloss, lip lineror eye liner and a pencil adapted for applying eye liner.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein: the body tube first end has a circularcross-section.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein: the body tube firstend has an elliptical cross-section.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein:the body tube first end has a rectangular cross-section.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein: the body tube first end has a triangularcross-section.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein: a single power sourcefor powering serves as the power source for powering both the first lampand the second lamp, the single power source positioned in the interiorof the body tube and communicated electrically to both of the respectivelamps.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein: a single switch serves as theswitch for electrically communicating both the first and the secondlamps to the single power source.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein:the switch is positioned on an external surface of the body tubeintermediate portion.
 11. The device of claim 2, wherein: the at leastone LED is positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end. 12.The device of claim 2, wherein: the at least one LED is mounted in theinterior of the body tube and light is communicated by thelight-transmitting material to a light emitter in the annular outerportion of the first end.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein: the lightemitter is an annular ring of a transparent material.
 14. The device ofclaim 8, wherein: the at least one LED is mounted in the interior of thebody tube and light is communicated by the light transmitting materialto a first light emitter in the annular outer portion of the first endand a second light emitter in the annular outer portion of the secondend.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein: the first and second lightemitters are each an annular ring of a transparent material.
 16. Thedevice of claim 1, additionally comprising a cap, wherein the cap isadapted to associate with the body tube.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein the cap and switch are adapted to engage such that the switch isreversibly activated when the cap is removed from the body tube.
 18. Thedevice of claim 16, additionally comprising a mirror.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the mirror is located on the cap.